Archive for alchemy

I came across a Teapot competition for 2008. I’m not too sure who won, but I’ve picked out some of my favorites!

teapot show 2008 Nancy Arkuss 'Sassy Lady'

I love the movement and style of this teapot by Nancy Arkuss. It reminds me of one of these veiled statues; –

The Sleep of Sorrow and the Dream of Joy by Raffaelle Monti 1861

Another one that captured my imagination is this one; –

Teapot show 2008 Sharon Bartmann'Oil for two' raku

I did a bit of raku at university and I must say, it is my favorite method of ceramic making. Perhaps it’s because the procedure takes place outdoors that appeals..and the effects are random: cannot be calculated. It is a method of working that involves all four elements (earth, wind, water and fire), like a kind alchemy!

Continuing with the ‘Alchemy’ project I did a few years ago:

brown sauce latex and others

The surfaces now are getting thicker. 1. Brown sauce is mixed with cornflour and a water based clear varnish. Brown sauce can be used to clean metal. Some people clean coins with it. I myself like the verdigris and patina of an old coin though. Here’s a roman ring I bought ages ago, which I never cleaned………..it has mysteriously disappeared.

my roman ring has roamed away from me.

2. Liquid latex was added to this mix. Notice, Number 1. has cracked, yet number 2 hasn’t, this could be because of the latex.

3. Pigment was then added to the mix. All three surfaces required 2 days to dry. These surfaces would be useful if you wished to embed objects into the work, or sprinkle beads or stuff into the surface.

4. Filler (powder) and acrylic makes a good impasto. The drying time is one day

make-up-bag waste not want not

Continuing with the ‘Alchemy’ project I completed a few years ago, this page is about make – up (Old make up I may add). I mean Charlie glitter???? Never throw anything away and you too can live in a tip like me lol! Seriously, don’t ever put old make up on your skin..PAINT or experiment with it!

1. Pastel pigment and hair gel makes a thinish surface. A bit of glitter wouldn’t go amiss in this mix

2. Red soft pastel and Sun Shimmer Bronzer, the bronzer seals the pastel, acting as a protective. May be interesting to see what happens when mixed with other colours?

3. Pastel and Peel off Face mask. This is an important experiment as you shall see later. Note: peels away by rubbing…

4. Pigment and oil free make up. A little like milk paint. The oil free make up does not protect the pigment very well…

5. The same but with ‘Charlie’ Glitter gel. This is lovely, you can see the brushstrokes. A bit thin and delicate. This glitter gel would lend itself well to No.1

Experiments were varied and personal notes made. I made the pages loose leafed so I could add to them, plus it made them easier to work on.

In the ‘Alchemy’ project, the objective was to experiment with unusual media. Of course I had a field day! This is the cover, which consists of two cardboard covers (back and front). The pages are held in place with a big clamp.

The media use consists of silver paper rolled up and shaped into the letters, painting in acrylic paint. I was aiming for a nacre mother of pearl effect.